Ketch Kelton teamed with Denton Dunning and Lil Michael Calmelat blasted a steer in 3.26 and 3.25, respectively, at The Hooey Jr. Patriot in Fort Worth, Texas, March 16, effectively joining the elite club of men to make 3.3-or-faster runs.
Chad Masters and Jade Corkill recorded the first 3.3 at the NFR, but since then, more than just a few guys have gone that fast (or faster, depending on who you ask and how you count these things). We know scores and flaggers vary, but, in the interest of being inclusive and thorough, here’s the list we came up with.
Did we miss one? THAT’S COMPLETELY POSSIBLE! Remind us, please, in the comments on Facebook or Instagram.
3.3 | 2009 | Chad Masters and Jade Corkill in Round 9 of the NFR
3.3 | 2012 | Brock Hanson and Ryan Motes in Nacogdoches, Texas
3.1 | 2015 | Clay Smith and Jim Ross Cooper at The Gambler
They were 3.1 on two of the greatest horses of all time: Marty and Jackyl. (Click EXPAND on the video, because it’s old tech and Facebook is a hater sometimes.)
3.3 | 2016 | Clay Tryan and Jade Corkill at the ERA Rodeo in Salt Lake City
3.3 | 2016 | Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira at The Gambler
3.3 | 2017 | Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira in Round 9 of the NFR
3.26 | 2018 | Tyler Wade and Cory Petska at The American Semifinals
3.3 | 2018 | Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira at The American
3.1 | 2020 | Wesley Thorp and Kaleb Driggers at Northside for The American Semifinals (Yes, their names are in the right order there).
3.3 | 2021 | Clay Smith and Jade Corkill at San Antonio
3.3 | 2021 | Dustin Egusquiza and Travis Graves Oakley City, Utah
3.3 | 2022 | Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira at The Fort Worth Timed Event Challenge
3.3 | 2023 | Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp in Round 8 of NFR
3.26 and 3.25 | Ketch Kelton and Lil Michael Calmelat, Ketch Kelton and Denton Dunning in Shootout Round of The Patriot
@teamropingjournal What would you do to beat a 3.51-second run for your share of $100K ❓ Well, if you’re 19-year-old Cinch Timed Event Champion Ketch Kelton, you go 3.26 with Denton Dunning on one run. And then you follow it up with a 3.25 with Lil Michael Calmelat. 👀 The Hooey Jr. Patriot Bonus Round gunslinging went like this: Tyler Tryan and Denton Dunning post a 3.51, then Kelton and Dunnjng go 3.26, and Kelton and Lil Michael raised it again in 3.25. Full story on deck at the link in bio, and you can rewatch the action on @Roping.com . (Because that was just the action AFTER we crowned Kelton and Lil Michael the overall champions. Wild.)
♬ Highway Tune – Greta Van Fleet
Bonus: Brock Hanson and Ryan Motes bought the steer they were 3.3 on in 2012, and he lived a long life having never been roped again in Weatherford, Texas. Here’s where he rests:
@teamropingjournal When you tie the world record, you gotta commemorate it. Brock Hanson & Ryan Motes tied the 3.3 world record in 2012 at Nocogdoches, Texas, and whenever Motes walks into the game room at his house, he’s reminded of that run. #teamroping #cowboy
♬ RADIOACTIVE B段 – Imagine Dragons